Abstract

Background

Accessible sexual, reproductive, and mental healthcare services are crucial for adolescent
health and wellbeing. It has been reported that school-based healthcare (SBHC) has
the potential to improve the availability of services particularly for young people
who are normally underserved. Locating health services in schools has the potential
to reduce transport costs, increase accessibility and provide links between schools
and communities.

Methods

A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Pubmed, Psychinfo, Psychnet,
Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science were searched for English language papers published
between January 1990 and March 2012

Results

Twenty-seven studies were found which fitted the criteria, of which, all but one were
from North America. Only three measured adolescent sexual, reproductive, or mental
health outcomes related to SBHC and none of the studies were randomized controlled
trials. The remaining studies explored accessibility of services and clinic utilization
or described pertinent contextual factors.

Conclusions

There is a paucity of high quality research which evaluates SBHC and its effects on
adolescent sexual, reproductive, and mental health. However, there is evidence that
SBHC is popular with young people, and provides important mental and reproductive
health services. Services also appear to have cost benefits in terms of adolescent
health and society as a whole by reducing health disparities and attendance at secondary
care facilities. However, clearer definitions of what constitutes SBHC and more high
quality research is urgently needed.